Waking was no easy feat, the pull of sleep tugging at me like a heavy shroud. But the rising sun brought with it an uncomfortable heat, forcing me awake as strands of my tied-up hair clung to my damp face and neck. Blinking my eyes open, I noticed the room bathed in a soft, golden light filtering through the grimy window. The bed beneath me was far from comfortable, creaking as I stretched to work out the knots in my back. Sitting up, I opened the system screen, noting with satisfaction that my mana was fully restored.
I pick up the wooden bucket I found earlier. The hollowed-out log is still sturdy enough to hold water. It is nothing fancy but it is mine. Carrying it carefully, I head to the river to fill it with the cold spring-fed water. As much as this will help me get clean, I cannot stop thinking about how nice warm, even hot, water would feel. Something a simple bucket cannot provide.
It takes several trips back and forth, but I manage to fill the large cauldron with enough water. Slowly, I heat it over the fire, bucket by bucket. Using a torn cloth, I begin to bathe. Soap would've been ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. I make do by mixing ash from the fire's dying embers into the water, scrubbing it into my hair to combat the oil buildup on my scalp. Finally, rinsing the ash away, I feel refreshed, even as my damp hair clings to my skin. Exhausted but clean, I sit naked on the wooden chair, letting myself air dry in the cottage's gentle warmth.
With the leftover warm water, I toss in my dirty clothes and begin swishing them around. This task feels foreign to me; I've never had to clean clothes without a washer and dryer before. The water quickly turns murky, resembling a grimy laundry soup. If the ash worked for my hair, it should do the same for my clothes, right? I focus on scrubbing the ash into areas where sweat tends to linger, then wring out the stubborn fabric with some effort.
Satisfied with my attempt, I hang the damp clothes near the front door, leaving it ajar so the breeze can help dry them. Still unclothed, I can't shake the slight discomfort of being so exposed, but I remind myself, there's no one around who'd care enough to see me like this.
I startle suddenly at the sound of rustling near the door. Whirling around, I barely have time to react before Zily hops into view. I squeak, clutching my chest. "God, Zily, you scared the crap out of me."
Settling back into the chair, I let Zily approach cautiously. Finally, Zily breaks the silence, asking, "Human, where are your clothes?"
I blush, heat rushing to my cheeks. "They were dirty," I reply, "like me. I needed to clean them."
I glance toward the clothes hanging in the doorway and motion to them before instinctively covering myself a bit more. "Could you check on the seedlings I planted yesterday?" I ask, remembering that while I did plant them just a day ago, I also used the growth spell.
Zily huffed and turned away to check on the seedlings while I scrambled to think of a way to speed up the drying process. The fire? Direct sunlight? Maybe both. I stood, letting my wet hair fall forward to cover part of my chest. "Zily, wait a little before coming back," I called out. "I'm gonna be naked until my clothes dry."
Stepping over to the doorway, I adjusted the garments to hang directly in the sunlight, hoping that would help.
With the clothes now soaking up the sun, I settle back inside the cottage, draping a threadbare blanket across my lap. The fire's warmth and the sun's rays streaming through the window make the wait bearable, though boredom starts to creep in. I toy with the system screen, flipping through skill descriptions and glancing at the glowing stats beside my name. It's strange; comforting, even, to have something to focus on besides the reality of being in a completely different world.
Time passes slowly, each minute stretching longer than the last. Eventually, the warm air and heat from the fire begin to do their work. My clothes, though still a bit damp, are dry enough to wear without discomfort. I pull them on quickly, grateful for the sense of normalcy they bring, even if the fabric still clings a little.
Feeling more like myself, I step outside to join Zily. The sun is high in the sky now, casting golden light over the garden beds. Zily stands near the edge of the field, eyes fixed on the soil.
"They're growing," she says, voice calm but curious. "Faster than they should be. That your magic at work?"
"I used a growth spell yesterday," I reply, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I guess it really works."
Walking over to the nearest garden bed, I kneel and inspect the herbs I'd planted—Orion, Roset, Moondry—all visibly taller and more developed than they had been. Buds were blooming, stems sturdy, their magical properties likely maturing along with them.
I stand and scan the small orchard to the side of the cottage where the fruit trees had been planted. They're no longer just saplings, some are already bearing blossoms. Excitement bubbles in my chest as I step toward them.
Stretching out my hand, I focus my magic and whisper, "Crescere." A soft green light pulses from my fingertips, seeping into the ground around the base of a young tree. The blossoms tremble, then open fully, petals glowing faintly with magic. Fruit buds begin to form, small but promising.
Ding!Successfully Accelerated Growth: Fruitla Magical nectar can now be harvested once daily. Attracts Bee Beasts.
Ding!Successfully Accelerated Growth: Roset Flower BedFragrant aura will ward off low-level beasts. Perfume crafting unlocked.
I step back, heart pounding with a strange mix of pride and awe. This system, it may be strange, but it's giving me a chance to shape this place into something of my own. Something safe. Maybe even… home.
Zily watches me with a curious expression. "You're adapting well for a human," she mutters.
I smile faintly, wiping my hands on my pants. "I'm trying. Survival tends to be a good motivator."
The avocado trees stood tall and proud, their broad, dark green leaves casting cool shadows over the soft earth beneath them. Plump green fruits dangled from the branches, some already showing hints of that buttery texture I'd read about. Nearby, the banana plants swayed gently in the breeze, their long, bright leaves fluttering like flags. Thick bunches of bananas hung heavy, their yellow skins just beginning to peek through the green.
Lemon trees were smaller but vibrant, bursting with bright yellow fruit that caught the sunlight like little drops of sunshine. Their leaves were glossy and fragrant, releasing a sharp citrus scent every time the wind brushed past. The orange trees, my favorite, were covered in rich green leaves and weighted down by dozens of ripe, round oranges that glowed like tiny lanterns against the foliage.
As I looked at the oranges, a sudden memory hit me, helping my grandma pick fruit from her old orange tree back home. I could almost feel the warm sun on my skin again, the rough bark beneath my fingertips as I reached for the juiciest oranges. Grandma's laughter echoed in my mind as she guided me to be careful not to drop the fruit. We used to fill baskets until they overflowed, and I remember the sweet smell that filled the air whenever we squeezed the juice fresh that same day.
Snapping back to the present, a twinge of worry crept in. There was so much fruit almost ready to harvest, but how was I going to eat it all? I didn't want any of it to go to waste, but it's not like I'll have neighbors out here in the deep woods.
Zily, noticing my hesitation, hopped closer. "There's a village not too far from here," she said, her voice calm and knowing. "They have an ox cart that travels into town regularly, carrying goods and people. There's a merchant guild there, and they might be interested in trading for your fruit."
The idea sparked a small flame of hope inside me. "A merchant guild?" I asked, eyes wide. "Maybe I could trade some of these fruits for other supplies I need or even sell them for money"
Zily nodded, her ears twitching. "Exactly. It's a way to get what you need without leaving this place too often. I can help guide you there when you're ready."
I exhaled slowly, feeling a little less alone in this new world. Maybe this place wasn't just about survival, it was about building something, bit by bit.
I turned to Zily, curiosity bubbling up. "So, what's this town like? Is it close? And what about the people, friendly or not so much?"
Zily twitched her nose thoughtfully. "The town's called Elmwood. It's small but lively, mostly farmers, merchants, and a few craftsmen. People are friendly but cautious of outsiders, especially ones carrying magic like you."
I nodded, taking it in. "Makes sense. Gotta be careful. What about the money there? How do people trade?"
Zily hopped a bit, like she was about to explain some big secret. "They use coins made of metal—copper, silver, and gold—depending on the value. Copper is common, gold is rare. Most trading is done with copper or silver coins. Bartering still happens sometimes, especially for local goods."
"That's helpful," I said, thinking about all the fruit I had. "So if I bring fruit, I could get coins or maybe trade for things I need?"
I glanced at Zily, needing to understand more. "Okay, so how does this money stuff actually work? Like, what's the deal with copper, silver, and gold?"
Zily flicked her ears. "It's pretty simple. One hundred copper coins equal one silver, and one hundred silver coins make a gold coin. So gold's super rare and valuable—usually only nobles or rich adventurers carry it."
"Got it," I said, picturing stacks of copper coins. "And how expensive is life there? Like, what's a meal or a roof over my head cost?"
She twitched her nose, thinking. "A simple meal in a tavern might be just a handful of copper coins, but a decent inn stay could run a few silver coins a night. Goods from far away or rare ingredients can get pricey, sometimes costing several gold coins. Life's simple, but if you want something special or safe, it's not cheap."
I nodded slowly. "Sounds like surviving here means either hard work or some luck… or maybe a little adventuring?"
Zily's eyes sparkled. "Exactly. Many here take risks to find treasures or rare herbs to sell. But beware, this kingdom's not too kind to magic users like you."
I frowned, surprised. "Why? What happened?"
Zily's tone darkened. "About 25 years ago, during the last war, a neighboring kingdom unleashed a magic user so powerful they wiped out entire armies, killed thousands. It was devastating, and this kingdom has been rebuilding ever since. Because of that, magic users are feared and distrusted here, even if they mean no harm."
"That's rough," I murmured. "So they blame all magic users for one bad person."
"Pretty much," Zily said softly. "You'll have to be careful who you trust."
I sighed but smiled. "Well, that just makes having you around all the more important, huh?"
Zily grinned. "I got your back, human."
I leaned in, curiosity buzzing. "So, this kingdom hates magic users cause of that war, but what about the area we're in now? Is it like the other places?"
Zily nodded, twitching her nose. "Nah, this spot's kinda special. For a long time—like, a hundred years or more, it was just wild land, no one claimed it. The forest was crawling with strong monsters, so folks avoided it."
"Wait, so it was basically a no-go zone?" I asked, eyes wide.
"Exactly. Only the bravest or desperate dared come close. Because of that, it stayed untamed, wild. No villages, no inns, nothing."
"That probably kept prices high, huh?" I guessed. "Like, if it's dangerous and wild, everything you bring in costs more."
"Bingo," Zily said, hopping onto a nearby rock. "Since it was unclaimed for so long, the kingdom only just started expanding here recently. Settlers had to bring everything with them, and the monsters still lurk on the edges. Supplies are rare, and that pushes prices up."
I rubbed my chin, thinking. "So living here is kinda expensive because it's remote, dangerous, and not well connected yet."
"Yeah," she replied, eyes serious. "Other towns closer to the capital or trade routes have cheaper prices. They've had time to build, grow crops, and trade with caravans. Here? You gotta pay a premium for almost everything."
I sighed but grinned. "Guess that means I better get good at growing my own stuff, huh?"
Zily smirked. "Definitely. And watch your back out there."
I nodded, then asked, "So, if places closer to the capital are cheaper, why doesn't everyone just live there? Seems safer and easier."
Zily flicked her ear. "Because you'd never actually own the land there. Most of it is crystal-claimed land, meaning it's locked up by the nobility or the crown. You can live there, but it's more like renting forever. The crystals bind the land to whoever holds the claim stone."
"So, if you want real ownership, you gotta come out here," I said, eyes widening. "To places like this wild land, where the claims aren't snapped up yet."
"Exactly," Zily confirmed. "That's why settlers brave the monsters and the expensive costs. True claimed land is rare near the center; it's all been divided and controlled for centuries."
I looked out over the trees, imagining staking my own claim somewhere deep in the wilds. "Wild and dangerous, but it's mine."
Zily grinned. "A dream for some. But remember, with that freedom comes risks, and lots of hard work."